The old library smelled of aged paper and dust, but it had become my favorite place in the entire mansion.
Elena and I met there again on a quiet Thursday afternoon. She arrived a few minutes after me, carrying her usual basket covered with a cloth. Her face lit up when she saw me waiting behind the tall shelves in the back corner.
“I brought honey cakes and fresh apples,” she whispered, sitting down on the rug across from me. “And some cheese. I thought you might like something sweet today.”
I smiled gratefully as she unpacked the snacks. “Thank you, Elena. You always bring the best things.”
We ate in comfortable silence for a while. These secret meetings had become the only bright spots in my difficult days. With Elena, I didn’t have to pretend to be strong all the time. I could just
